ROAD TRIP!Wk7: The Fast and Furious
Happy Fathers Day! Today a man’s man –a cowboy, a king, a warrior, a fighter and a lover, good w/ animals & kids – and he wrote, played guitar, and sang #1 hits. A rock star and cowboy! David of Bethlehem.
His story is so great it covers 8 books of the Bible: 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes - Epic!
We’ve been talking about knowing & walking in God’s will for our life. The adventure of following God’s will! The great road trip of life.
BUT – what happens when your wheels are spinning – and it feels like your running but going nowhere?(set up - Fast & Furious clip)
It’s the early days of Israel's Monarchy - Saul started good - but soon drifts from God - impeached by God after 2yrs – but continued 38 yrs.
Saul & Samuel angrily part ways - God is silent. Saul falls into depression, anger, rage, insanity, murder, and the occult.
A New King is chosen...
- Ayoung shepherdteen (15) turnslocal hero - David is anointed
- David steps up at the - Rally in the Valley–The Goliath showdown
- David - is welcomed in the city as a hero (Music, dancing, crowds)
- Over the next 10 yrs David became a brave, mighty warrior – leader
Saul spirals into deeper insanity jealously - During this time,his son Jonathan (27 yrs older)andDavid became bestfriends
(Saul grows more obsessed with killing David)1 Samuel 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had departed from Saul.
After failed attempts to Kill him, David marries Saul's daughter. Talk about a tough in-law relationship!
1 Samuel 18:28 When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, 29 Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.30 The Philistine commanders (the enemy) continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.
What follows is Saul's Jealousy, Jonathan's Loyalty and Michal's love - Both Jon and Michal work to save David's life from their crazy father and so the chase begins!
David runs
1 Samuel 19:1 Saul told his son Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. But Jonathan had taken a great liking to David 2 and warned him, “My father Saul is looking for a chance to kill you. Be on your guard tomorrow morning; go into hiding and stay there. (Jon tells Dad how loyal David is - Saul relents…)
David returns-Saul throws a spear at David a 2nd time
1 Samuel 19:9 But an evil spirit from the Lord came on Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. While David was playing the lyre, 10 Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape.
David runs
19:11 Saul sent men to David’s house to watch it and to kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, “If you don’t run for your life tonight, tomorrow you’ll be killed.” 12 So Michal let David down through a window, and he fled and escaped. 13 Then Michal took an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and putting some goats’ hair at the head.14 When Saul sent the men to capture David, Michal said, “He is ill.”15 Then Saul... told them, “Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him.” 16 But when the men entered, there was the idol in the bed, and at the head was some goats’ hair.
So it begins - Band on the run – song
David runs to Ramah
- David runs to the prophetSamuel'shouse - Sam I need direction
- Saul sends soldiers to kill David –3X they tried to enter the house - the Spirit of God stopped them and moved on them to prophecy
Saul decides to go himself... 19:23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. 24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night...(prophesying)
David returns - Again- 1 Samuel 20
- Jonathan makes a covenant with David to always protect him
- David doesn't show up to a banquet - Jonathan defends David
1 Samuel 20:30 Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! (trash talking his own wife) Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? 31 As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. (unless David is dead – you’ll never be king) Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”
32 “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” Jonathan asked his father. 33 But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. (3X - horrible shot)Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.34 Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the feast he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David.(not about himself)
At the risk of his future and father – he was loyal to David
Jonathan has a secret meeting with David to warn him...
41 ...David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.42 Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. (David becomes a wanted man - a fugitive - wanted DEAD!)
The chase is on - Ride Like the wind – song
Man on the Run:
- David ran to RAMAH- seeks God with Samuel
- David ran to NOB
Place of the Tabernacle - priest Ahimelech (a friend) helps him
He gave him food and the only sword he had - Goliath's sword
- David ran to GATH
Enemy city of the Philistines - home of Goliath. Hopesto blend in - he’s recognized - pretends to be insane - sends him away.
FYI - If you are called to be different - you'll never fit in!
So he keeps on running -Running On Empty- Jackson Browne
- David ran to caves of ADULLAM
Living in a cave outside of town –David sends for his family to come
1 Samuel 22:1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.(Drawn to his valor and wisdom - they trusted him to save them from trouble and pledged their allegiance to him - An outlaw captain- robin Hood)
- David ran to MIZPAH(Moab)
In Moab, another Israel enemy - He asks the king for safe shelter for his family - he does - but the Prophet Gad - told him - don't stay here run
So you know what he does - runs - flock of seagulls – I ran
Meanwhile - Back at Saul's place- Saul boiling, filled w/ rage and anger - He receives word that the priest Ahimelech helped - ordersHim come
1 Samuel 22:13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?” 14 Ahimelek answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.” 16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.”
That day Saul slaughtered 85 priests of God & the entire town of Nob - every man, woman, child, infant - dead. Only one son of Ahimelech survived and he went to and stayed with David
- David ran to KEILAH - mountain forest
Not to escape Saul - but to rescue a village attacked by the Philistines - he gathers his ragtag team of men (now 600) leads a charge and saves them. Hearing from God, that Saul was coming to kill them…They keep moving-Doobie bro - keeps you runnin'
- David ran to Desert of ZIPH
While there he gets an unlikely visit - the outlaw and the kings son
1 Samuel 23:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.(prayer encourage)
This was to be the last time they were to see each other...
- David ran to Mountainsof MAON - 1 Sam 23
Saul on a tip - finds David and a hot pursuit begins thru the mountains
These mountain caves were used in Psalms to describe God as a rock of refuge
Just as Saul is closing in - they leave to chase Philistines
And David keeps on running - Keep on Runnin’ - Journey
- David ran to Desert of EN- GEDI - 1 Samuel 24
Saul returns with 3000 men to kill David - Saul stumbles into a cave...
1 Samuel 24:3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. (Saul went to the bathroom in the cave they were hiding in)4 The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. (even this action convicted him)
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’
Davidholds up the piece of Saul’s robe - I could have killed you - the Lord knows –I have no evil in me towards you.
Saul responds w/ tears - says he sorry -Take it on the run - REO
But David does not buy it and keeps runs to the caves of Moan
Shortly after this - David hears the news... Samuel is dead
- David ran to Desert of MOAN- 1 Sam 25
God provides for David's men and marries a country girl named Abigal.
After hearing Saul again brought thousands of troops to kill him, he…
- David ran to Desert of ZIPH - 1 Samuel 26
David sneaks up onSaul sleeping, this time taking hissword & water jug. David again spares Saul's life... calling out from across the hillside
Saul - I'm sorry. But keeps chasing - Against the wind - Segar
- David ran to GATH - 1 Samuel 27
Theenemy city of the Philistines - same place he pretended to be crazy - this time with 600 men and as a warrior - he finds a new home –Ziklag
He periodically goes out and attacks enemy Philistine villages
6 yrs of running - come to end. David lives among the Philistines for 4yrs in peace with his band of warrior brothers and their families.
Know this - God will often use the most unlikely things to move you forward(Goliath's sword/ Moabites help/ Home in Gath...)
Last week – Saul in a dark and scary place in his life – rather than turn to the God of grace and hope – he runs to a witch. (1 Samuel 28)
Told by God thru the Prophet Samuel – that because of his rebellious heart and defiance of God – God will tear the kingdom from him. And that his he and his sons will die tomorrow in battle.
* The next day Saul and sons – shuts down for business.
But – during the war… David returns home to Ziklag(1 sam 29)
Amalekites, taking advantage of them while gone - attack their village - burn it to the ground and take the wives & children as slaves. Upon arrival, they are devastated and angry at David
1 Samuel 30:4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.(Encouraged himself in the Lord)
He then rallies the men and they leave to rescue their families
Thru that – he is made king of Judah 7yrs later of all Israel.
25yrs from the time anointed as King – 10 yrs of running!
What can we learn from the Man on the run? When your wheels are spinning and it feels like you’re going, going, going – nowhere.
You feel like life is against you and you can't seem to catch a break
- on the run –Never stop praising God (continually on David’s lips)
Many of the great Psalms about deliverance and God's faithfulness - and the Messiah Jesus were written by David during this time.(In pain)
Psalm 34 - after he pretended to be insane -I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2 I will glory in the Lord;let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3 Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together.4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,for those who fear him lack nothing.17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles.18 The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.
- on the run –Be loyal and consistent. (great trait of David)
Saul made rash decisions, promises he did not keep, and easily influenced by others. Doubted those closest to him - due to his lack of loyalty. He did not stand up for his men.(men we tend to pull or lax)
David on the other hand when the heat was turned up - He never spoke evil of or hurt Saul. Loyal to all his family & friends - kept his word vowto Jon!
- on the run –Keep your family close (family cared and provided for)
David in the face of pain on the run - called for his family and took care of them
David’s brothers - Regardless of your situation you are called to stand up for your family – wife – kids. Protect and provide.
- on the run –Be guided by compassion and justice
David gathered, welcomed, and protected - those lowly in heart - and risked his life to fight for and protect the innocent all around him.
In 1 Sam 30 - while on the run - he finds a lonely, homeless, hungry, sick foreigner, left for dead - David finds him, cares for him, feeds him, tends to him, helps him - I see Jesus in the character of David...
- on the run –Determine to walk in forgiveness
David consistently forgave and gave over to God those who were trying to bring him down - Was freedom to his soul! Feel the heat? Walk in forgiveness
- on the run – Trust in the Lord for your daily peace
Saul joins a list of the wicked who put on a good show for personal benefit - David trust the Lord in spite of others and when it was hard
When your wheelsare spinning and you feel tired and alone
1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.(Encouraged himself in the Lord)
His life fell apart - Samuel (mentor) dead / Jonathan (BF) gone / Family dragged off / his friends hate him... David ran to the LORD!